Black Celebration [LP]

by Depeche Mode

Overview

Whether the band felt it was simply the time to move on from its most explicit industrial-pop fusion days, or whether increased success and concurrently larger venues pushed the music into different avenues, Depeche Mode's fifth studio album, Black Celebration, saw the group embarking on a path that in many ways defined their sound to the present: emotionally extreme lyrics matched with amped-up tunes, as much anthemic rock as they are compelling dance, along with stark, low-key ballads. The slow, sneaky build of the opening title track, with a strange distorted vocal sample providing a curious opening hook, sets the tone as David Gahan sings of making it through "another black day" while powerful drums and echoing metallic pings carry the song. Black Celebration is actually heavier on the ballads throughout, many sung by Martin Gore -- the most per album he has yet taken lead on -- with notable dramatic beauties including "Sometimes," with its surprise gospel choir start and rough piano sonics, and the hyper-nihilistic "World Full of Nothing." The various singles from the album remain definite highlights, such as "A Question of Time," a brawling, aggressive number with a solid Gahan vocal, and the romantic/physical politics of "Stripped," featuring particularly sharp arrangements from Alan Wilder. However, with such comparatively lesser-known but equally impressive numbers as the quietly intense romance of "Here Is the House" to boast, Black Celebration is solid through and through. ~ Ned Raggett

Product Details

Release Date:	02/04/2014
Label:	Rhino / Warner Bros.
UPC:	0081227960834
Rank:	3399

Tracks

1. Black Celebration
2. Fly on the Windscreen (Final)
3. A Question of Lust
4. Sometimes
5. It Doesn't Matter Two
6. A Question of Time
7. Stripped
8. Here Is the House
9. World Full of Nothing
10. Dressed in Black
11. New Dress

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Depeche Mode   Primary Artist,Vocals
Andy Fletcher   Keyboards
Martin Gore   Keyboards
Alan Wilder   Keyboards
Dave Gahan   Vocals

Technical Credits

Andrew Fletcher   Group Member
Gareth Jones   Producer
Lyle Moraine   Composer
Andy Fletcher   Group,Producer,Group Member
Depeche Mode   Composer,Engineer,Producer
Martin Gore   Group,Composer,Producer,Group Member
Alan Wilder   Group,Composer,Producer,Group Member
Peter Schmidt   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Daniel Miller   Composer,Producer
Richard Sullivan   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Dave Gahan   Group,Producer,Group Member
Phil Tennant   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Brian Griffin   Photography
Dave Allen   Engineer,Recording
Stuart Graham   Photography
Tim Young   Mastering